The Ministry of Healing

Chapter 36—Danger in Speculative Knowledge

One of the greatest evils that attends the quest for knowledge, the investigations of science, is the disposition to exalt human reasoning above its true value and its proper sphere. Many attempt to judge of the Creator and His works by their own imperfect knowledge of science. They endeavor to determine the nature and attributes and prerogatives of God, and indulge in speculative theories concerning the Infinite One. Those who engage in this line of study are treading upon forbidden ground. Their research will yield no valuable results and can be pursued only at the peril of the soul.MH 427.1

Our first parents were led into sin through indulging a desire for knowledge that God had withheld from them. In seeking to gain this knowledge, they lost all that was worth possessing. If Adam and Eve had never touched the forbidden tree, God would have imparted to them knowledge—knowledge upon which rested no curse of sin, knowledge that would have brought them everlasting joy. All that they gained by listening to the tempter was an acquaintance with sin and its results. By their disobedience, humanity was estranged from God and the earth was separated from heaven.MH 427.2

The lesson is for us. The field into which Satan led our first parents is the same to which he is alluring men today. He is flooding the world with pleasing fables. By every device at his command he tempts men to speculate in regard to God. Thus he seeks to prevent them from obtaining that knowledge of God which is salvation.MH 428.1

135MHThe Ministry of Healing[{"para_id":"135.6","title":"Preface","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/00_Preface.mp3#duration=203&size=1723411"},{"para_id":"135.33","title":"Chapter 1\u2014Our Example","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/01_Our_Example.mp3#duration=1098&size=8885152"},{"para_id":"135.87","title":"Chapter 2\u2014Days of Ministry","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/02_Days_of_Ministry.mp3#duration=2001&size=16106242"},{"para_id":"135.198","title":"Chapter 3\u2014With Nature and With God","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/03_With_Nature_and_With_God.mp3#duration=647&size=5278399"},{"para_id":"135.226","title":"Chapter 4\u2014The Touch of Faith","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/04_The_Touch_of_Faith.mp3#duration=1582&size=12752333"},{"para_id":"135.304","title":"Chapter 5\u2014Healing of the Soul","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/05_Healing_of_the_Soul.mp3#duration=2075&size=16699959"},{"para_id":"135.400","title":"Chapter 6\u2014Saved to Serve","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/06_Saved_to_Serve.mp3#duration=1501&size=12110758"},{"para_id":"135.482","title":"Chapter 7\u2014The Co-Working of the Divine and the Human","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/07_The_Co-Working_of_the_Divine_and_the_Human.mp3#duration=1768&size=14240316"},{"para_id":"135.561","title":"Chapter 8\u2014The Physician, an Educator","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/08_The_Physician_an_Educator.mp3#duration=1669&size=13451804"},{"para_id":"135.635","title":"Chapter 9\u2014Teaching and Healing","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/09_Teaching_and_Healing.mp3#duration=2677&size=21511507"},{"para_id":"135.758","title":"Chapter 10\u2014Helping the Tempted","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/10_Helping_the_Tempted.mp3#duration=1153&size=9321936"},{"para_id":"135.809","title":"Chapter 11\u2014Working for the Intemperate","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/11_Working_for_the_Intemperate.mp3#duration=1425&size=11500355"},{"para_id":"135.882","title":"Chapter 12\u2014Help for the Unemployed and the Homeless","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/12_Help_for_the_Unemployed_and_the_Homeless.mp3#duration=1995&size=16061779"},{"para_id":"135.986","title":"Chapter 13\u2014The Helpless Poor","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/13_The_Helpless_Poor.mp3#duration=909&size=7370062"},{"para_id":"135.1038","title":"Chapter 14\u2014Ministry to the Rich","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/14_Ministry_to_the_Rich.mp3#duration=858&size=6964230"},{"para_id":"135.1083","title":"Chapter 15\u2014In the Sickroom","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/15_In_the_Sickroom.mp3#duration=478&size=3925030"},{"para_id":"135.1113","title":"Chapter 16\u2014Prayer for the Sick","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/16_Prayer_for_the_Sick.mp3#duration=973&size=7880604"},{"para_id":"135.1158","title":"Chapter 17\u2014The Use of Remedies","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/17_The_Use_of_Remedies.mp3#duration=636&size=5188529"},{"para_id":"135.1193","title":"Chapter 18\u2014Mind Cure","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/18_Mind_Cure.mp3#duration=2119&size=17048727"},{"para_id":"135.1309","title":"Chapter 19\u2014In Contact With Nature","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/19_In_Contact_With_Nature.mp3#duration=704&size=5732717"},{"para_id":"135.1354","title":"Chapter 20\u2014General Hygiene","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/20_General_Hygiene.mp3#duration=601&size=4903263"},{"para_id":"135.1386","title":"Chapter 21\u2014Hygiene Among the Israelites","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/21_Hygiene_Among_the_Israelites.mp3#duration=1004&size=8131815"},{"para_id":"135.1448","title":"Chapter 22\u2014Dress","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/22_Dress.mp3#duration=922&size=7476200"},{"para_id":"135.1491","title":"Chapter 23\u2014Diet and Health","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/23_Diet_and_Health.mp3#duration=1578&size=12720772"},{"para_id":"135.1575","title":"Chapter 24\u2014Flesh as Food","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/24_Flesh_as_Food.mp3#duration=630&size=5140869"},{"para_id":"135.1609","title":"Chapter 25\u2014Extremes in Diet","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/25_Extremes_in_Diet.mp3#duration=582&size=4757189"},{"para_id":"135.1642","title":"Chapter 26\u2014Stimulants and Narcotics","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/26_Stimulants_and_Narcotics.mp3#duration=1134&size=9174615"},{"para_id":"135.1701","title":"Chapter 27\u2014Liquor Traffic and Prohibition","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/27_Liquor_Traffic_and_Prohibition.mp3#duration=1207&size=9752038"},{"para_id":"135.1760","title":"Chapter 28\u2014Ministry of the Home","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/28_Ministry_of_the_Home.mp3#duration=701&size=5705964"},{"para_id":"135.1792","title":"Chapter 29\u2014The Builders of the Home","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/29_The_Builders_of_the_Home.mp3#duration=804&size=6530605"},{"para_id":"135.1831","title":"Chapter 30\u2014Choice and Preparation of the Home","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/30_Choice_and_Preparation_of_the_Home.mp3#duration=671&size=5464830"},{"para_id":"135.1865","title":"Chapter 31\u2014The Mother","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/31_The_Mother.mp3#duration=738&size=6004158"},{"para_id":"135.1907","title":"Chapter 32\u2014The Child","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/32_The_Child.mp3#duration=938&size=7601387"},{"para_id":"135.1960","title":"Chapter 33\u2014Home Influences","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/33_Home_Influences.mp3#duration=655&size=5342956"},{"para_id":"135.1996","title":"Chapter 34\u2014True Education, a Missionary Training","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/34_True_Education_a_Missionary_Training.mp3#duration=1359&size=10973956"},{"para_id":"135.2075","title":"Chapter 35\u2014A True Knowledge of God","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/35_A_True_Knowledge_of_God.mp3#duration=1928&size=15519652"},{"para_id":"135.2211","title":"Chapter 36\u2014Danger in Speculative Knowledge","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/36_Danger_in_Speculative_Knowledge.mp3#duration=1469&size=11854793"},{"para_id":"135.2287","title":"Chapter 37\u2014The False and the True in Education","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/37_The_False_and_the_True_in_Education.mp3#duration=1438&size=11606533"},{"para_id":"135.2359","title":"Chapter 38\u2014The Importance of Seeking True Knowledge","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/38_The_Importance_of_Seeking_True_Knowledge.mp3#duration=917&size=7438236"},{"para_id":"135.2407","title":"Chapter 39\u2014The Knowledge Received Through God's Word","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/39_The_Knowledge_Received_Through_Gods_Word.mp3#duration=1049&size=8489612"},{"para_id":"135.2462","title":"Chapter 40\u2014Help in Daily Living","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/40_Help_in_Daily_Living.mp3#duration=1505&size=12135639"},{"para_id":"135.2541","title":"Chapter 41\u2014In Contact With Others","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/41_In_Contact_With_Others.mp3#duration=1666&size=13423375"},{"para_id":"135.2618","title":"Chapter 42\u2014Development and Service","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/42_Development_and_Service.mp3#duration=784&size=6374078"},{"para_id":"135.2654","title":"Chapter 43\u2014A Higher Experience","mp3":"\/mp3\/135\/43_A_Higher_Experience.mp3#duration=1495&size=12063121"}]